Can I extend SDI for postpartum depression multiple times or wait for psychiatrist evaluation?

You can def extend more than once!! I had my baby in 2024 and had THREE extensions total, first from my OB for healing issues, then 2 more from my psych for PPD. Just make sure each doc submits their part before the current extension runs out.

Your OB did the right thing by submitting an extension to bridge the gap until you can see the psychiatrist. SDI allows multiple extensions as long as each one is submitted before the previous disability period ends. When you see the psychiatrist, they'll need to complete a new medical certification (DE 2501) specifically for the mental health condition. This will be considered a continuation of your claim, not a new claim. The key is making sure there are no gaps between certifications.

I went through something similar in April. Your OB extending was the right move, but DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your SDI Online account showing the extension was processed. In my case, they somehow "lost" my psychiatrist's certification even though he submitted it, and I had to resubmit everything THREE TIMES!! Then they backdated it wrong. It was a nightmare and I was without income for almost a month while they sorted it out. I recommend calling EDD before your current extension ends to confirm they received the psychiatrist's paperwork. But good luck actually getting through to anyone...

I used Claimyr when I had a similar situation switching from pregnancy disability to postpartum depression disability. It got me through to an EDD representative in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works. The rep I spoke with made notes in my file about the provider change which apparently helped prevent any gaps in my payments. I recommend calling before your OB's extension ends.

dont listen to these people saying u can extend multiple times. my cousin got DENIED when she tried to extend her maternity SDI for depression. EDD told her that once pregnancy disability ends she would need to apply for a WHOLE NEW CLAIM not an extension!!!! i think the rules changed in 2025

Actually, I'm a little confused about something here. You said your SDI is ending on January 22nd and got extended for 2 weeks, but your psychiatrist appointment isn't until February 3rd. Wouldn't your extension end on February 5th (Jan 22 + 2 weeks)? That would mean your extension ends AFTER your appointment...so I'm not sure why you're worried? Am I missing something? Anyway, I had PPD last year and ended up with 3 months extra SDI after my regular maternity leave. EDD doesn't care how many doctors are involved or how many extensions you get as long as the paperwork is in order.

Just wanna say hang in there with the PPD. I went through it in 2024 and it was THE HARDEST thing ever. The paperwork stress doesn't help!! But it DOES get better. I ended up needing 4 months beyond my regular maternity leave but I'm doing so much better now. Don't feel guilty about needing the time. Your health matters!!!

To summarize for you since there's some confusion in this thread: 1. Yes, you can have multiple sequential extensions from different providers 2. Each extension must be submitted before the previous one ends 3. Make sure your psychiatrist completes a full DE 2501 form, not just a continuation certification 4. Check your SDI Online account regularly for messages or forms needed 5. If you receive any "Notice of Determination" that seems incorrect, appeal it immediately (within 30 days) 6. Keep documentation of all submissions and communications And most importantly, focus on your health and your baby. The administrative details can be figured out.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My maternity leave ended in December and I'm currently on my second extension for postpartum anxiety. The transition between providers was actually smoother than I expected. My OB submitted the first extension, then my therapist submitted the second one about a week before the first extension expired. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple calendar with all the important dates - when each extension ends, when I need to follow up with providers, etc. It took some of the mental load off during a time when I was already struggling. Also, don't hesitate to call your psychiatrist's office before your appointment to ask if they can email you the DE 2501 form ahead of time so you can review it together during your visit. Some offices are really helpful about this! You're doing everything right by getting the help you need. PPD/PPA is a real medical condition and you deserve the time to heal. ❤️

I'm a new mom who went through a very similar situation last year! I was so stressed about the paperwork and extensions, but it actually worked out fine. My OB gave me an initial extension for physical recovery, then my psychiatrist took over with multiple extensions for PPD - I think I had 4 total extensions before I was ready to return to work. The key things that helped me: 1) Keep copies of EVERYTHING in both digital and physical form, 2) Set phone reminders a week before each extension expires to follow up with your doctor, and 3) Don't be afraid to be persistent with your medical providers about submitting paperwork on time - they deal with this stuff all the time but it's your livelihood on the line. Also, please don't feel guilty about needing this time. PPD is incredibly common and you're being responsible by getting proper treatment. I remember feeling like I was "faking it" or being dramatic, but looking back, that time off was absolutely essential for both me and my baby. You've got this! 💕

I'm currently dealing with something similar - my maternity leave ends next week and I'm really struggling with what I think might be postpartum depression. Reading all these responses is giving me hope that I can get the help I need without losing my benefits. One question for everyone who's been through this - how did you know when you were ready to go back to work? I'm terrified of going back too early and having a setback, but I also don't want to stay out longer than necessary. My husband keeps asking when I'll be "back to normal" and honestly I don't even know what that looks like anymore. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences. It makes me feel less alone in this. ❤️

I'm a working mom who went through PPD extensions in 2024, and I want to echo what others have said - you absolutely CAN have multiple extensions from different providers! Your OB did exactly the right thing by getting that bridge extension in place. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that when you meet with your psychiatrist, it's helpful to come prepared with specific examples of how your symptoms are affecting your daily functioning. I made a simple list beforehand of things like "can't concentrate for more than 10 minutes," "crying spells interfere with caring for baby," etc. This helped my psychiatrist write a more detailed and accurate DE 2501 form, which seemed to make the EDD approval process smoother. Also, if your psychiatrist recommends therapy along with medication, ask if your therapist can also submit documentation. Sometimes having multiple mental health providers document your condition can strengthen your case if there are any questions from EDD later. Hang in there - PPD is so hard but you're taking all the right steps to get better. Taking time to heal isn't selfish, it's necessary for both you and your baby! ❤️

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My maternity leave ended last month and I'm currently on my first extension from my OB while waiting to see a psychiatrist for what I'm pretty sure is postpartum anxiety and depression. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - I was panicking that I'd somehow mess up the paperwork process. It sounds like your OB definitely did the right thing by submitting that bridge extension. I've been keeping a folder with copies of everything and setting calendar reminders like some others mentioned, which has helped me feel more organized during a time when my brain feels like mush. One thing my OB told me that might be helpful - she said to ask the psychiatrist specifically about the DE 2501 form during the appointment and to mention that you're currently on SDI so they know exactly what paperwork EDD needs. Some mental health providers aren't as familiar with the disability forms as OBs who deal with maternity leave all the time. You're being so smart to plan ahead and ask these questions! The fact that you're advocating for yourself and your mental health shows you're already being a great mom. Hang in there! 💕

I'm a new mom who just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Your OB absolutely did the right thing by submitting that bridge extension. I had a similar timeline - my regular maternity leave ended, my OB gave me a 2-week extension while I waited for my psychiatrist appointment, and then my psychiatrist took over with additional extensions for PPD treatment. The key thing that saved me a lot of stress was being really proactive about communication. Before my psychiatrist appointment, I called their office to confirm they were familiar with EDD's DE 2501 form and asked if I could pick it up ahead of time to review. During the appointment, I came with a written list of specific symptoms and how they were affecting my ability to work and care for my baby. EDD handled the transition between providers seamlessly - as long as each extension is submitted before the previous one expires, it's all considered one continuous claim. I ended up with 3 total extensions and never had any gaps in benefits. Don't stress too much about the paperwork logistics - focus on getting the help you need. PPD is a serious medical condition and you deserve the time to recover properly. You're already being such a good advocate for yourself by planning ahead! ❤️

I'm a new mom who went through multiple SDI extensions for postpartum depression last year, and I want to reassure you that your OB absolutely made the right call! You can definitely have sequential extensions from different providers - I had four total extensions between my OB and psychiatrist. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple tracking sheet with all my important dates: when each extension expires, follow-up appointment dates, and deadlines for paperwork submission. I also kept a dedicated folder (both physical and digital) with copies of every form and correspondence with EDD. When you see your psychiatrist on February 3rd, make sure to mention upfront that you're currently on SDI and need them to complete a DE 2501 form for continuation. Some mental health providers aren't as familiar with these forms as OBs who handle maternity leave regularly. I actually called my psychiatrist's office beforehand to confirm they had the form and understood the EDD requirements. The transition between providers was smoother than I expected - EDD treats it all as one continuous claim as long as there are no gaps between certifications. Just make sure to check your SDI Online account regularly for any messages or additional forms they might need. Most importantly, please don't feel guilty about needing this time. PPD is a real medical condition that requires proper treatment. Taking care of your mental health is taking care of your baby too. You're being an amazing advocate for yourself by planning ahead and asking the right questions. You've got this! ❤️

I'm currently going through this exact situation too! My maternity leave ended in December and I just got approved for my second extension for postpartum anxiety. Reading all these responses has been so validating - I was worried I was somehow "taking advantage" of the system by needing multiple extensions. What really helped me was setting up a dedicated email folder for all EDD correspondence and taking screenshots of my SDI Online account every time I logged in. When there was a slight delay processing my psychiatrist's paperwork, having those screenshots helped prove when everything was submitted. Also, don't underestimate how much the mental load of managing all this paperwork can add to your stress when you're already struggling with PPD. I started asking my partner to help me with the administrative tasks - like calling doctor offices to confirm they received forms or checking my SDI account. It made such a difference to not have to manage every detail myself. You're doing everything right by getting ahead of this and asking questions. The system can feel overwhelming, but it really does work when you stay organized and advocate for yourself. Sending you lots of support! 💕

I'm a new mom who just went through this process last year and wanted to add my experience! Your OB definitely did the right thing with that bridge extension - I had a very similar situation where my maternity leave ended but I needed time to get in with a psychiatrist for PPD evaluation. One thing I found really helpful was creating a simple checklist for my psychiatrist appointment: 1) Bring a written summary of symptoms and how they affect daily functioning, 2) Specifically ask about the DE 2501 form, 3) Discuss timeline for treatment and potential return to work, and 4) Ask if they can submit the form electronically to EDD (some providers can do this which speeds up processing). I ended up needing 3 extensions total from two different providers and never had any issues with continuity of benefits. The key is just making sure each form gets submitted before the previous extension expires. EDD sees it all as one continuous claim. Also wanted to echo what others have said about not feeling guilty for needing this time. PPD recovery isn't linear and everyone's timeline is different. I went back to work after 4 months of extensions and felt so much more capable and present for both my job and my baby. You're being such a good mom by prioritizing your mental health! 💕